I am writing at the request of FRC President Tony Perkins, to ask you, as one of America's Prayer Movement Leaders, to urge those in your in your prayer networks to appeal to heaven on behalf of 5 pastors in Houston, Texas, who have been ordered by city officials, under threat of fines and jail, to turn over all copies of speeches, presentations, and any other communications, public or private, having to do with homosexuality, transgender identity, the Mayor of Houston, or Houston's Equal Rights Ordinance (H.E.R.O).

A coalition of over 400 area ministers is opposed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance ("HERO" - a homosexual rights "bathroom" ordinance like others that have passed in a number of jurisdictions across America. It would allow transsexual, transgender and transvestite boys and men to use the girl's and women's bathrooms and locker rooms, etc. and vice versa.

Following a remedy provided by city and state law, the ministers organized a petition and obtained over 50,000 signatures, for the ordinance to go on the ballot for Houston voters to approve or reject in November. The pastors gathered three times the number of voter signatures required for such a referendum, but the city rejected the petition. Representatives of the coalition filed lawsuit. Then, Houston Mayor Annise Parker had the above-mentioned unconstitutional subpoenas issued.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) lawyers are on the case, but the city has, so far, not backed down in its effort to intimidate the pastors.

Tony has conferred with subpoenaed pastors and other coalition leaders who are willing to go to jail rather than comply with the Mayor's demands.   Fox News Commentator Todd Starnes has been covering the story extensively. Except for Fox News - the national media is mostly ignoring the story. But we have gathered 40,000 online petitions during the last two days in support of the pastors and calling on the Mayor to rescind the subpoenas...

Here is Todd Starnes' Facebook post:
https://www.facebook.com/ToddStarnesFNC/posts/729131513828350

See also iStandSunday. On Nov 2nd, pastors from across the nation will travel to Houston to rally in support of the targeted Houston Pastors. That evening, we will air a nationwide Webcast to acquaint Christians nationwide with what is happening in Houston.

(Note from the IPC editor: The latest news is that the mayor backed down on demanding the subpoenaed sermons of the 5 pastors.)

Pray for the people of Houston to prevail over this "Bathroom Bill" and for the Mayor and other city officials to cease its hostility toward the churches.

Sincerely, in Christ,
Rev. Pierre Bynum Chaplain, National Prayer Director

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